On Location: ACV celebrates "superhero" agents; TTAND honours top performers, suppliers

The outdoor theatre at Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres became an exclusive headquarters for powerful travel pros last Friday (April 21) as Air Canada Vacations (ACV) hosted a wild superhero-themed party for agents and suppliers attending The Travel Agent Next Door’s (TTAND’s) national conference, “Breaking Barriers Together,” in Costa Mujeres, Mexico.

Donning masks, capes and fake mustaches, attendees took a break from the conference’s sessions at Majestic Elegance Costa Mujeres, just up the road, to enjoy Grand Palladium’s “Cabaret Chic” show, a high-energy spectacle of singing and dance that, at one point, promoted attendees to form a conga line in the aisles.

Notable costumes included the “Flemmcredibles” – a group concept that combined TTAND Founder Flemming Friisdahl with Pixar’s The Incredibles – a Ted Lasso double (courtesy of David Green from G Adventures), Freyja Warriors (led by Viking’s Jordana Botting) and a Penny Martin (TTAND’s vintage-wearing VP of travel agent services) look-alike (created by travel advisor Judith Coates).

READ MORE: Jacques Gilbert, days before retirement, attends his last conference

Coates (as Penny), at one point, winked at event photographer Dan Galbraith (Penny's husband), who, in a state of confusion, uttered: "I don't know what to do." 

Spotted wearing t-shirts that read “travel advisors are our superheroes” were ACV’s Ana Paula De Souza, director of sales, and Krista Rothfuchs, who was recently named an area sales manager for independent advisors, overseeing the new ACV@Home program.

“We’re here to celebrate, with everyone, and thank agents for joining us on this journey,” De Souza told PAX, noting how ACV@Home was created during the pandemic, and how TTAND participated in the program’s pilot phase.

ACV@Home is a dedicated support program for independent travel advisors that provides assistance, new tools, and training to help grow a strong and dynamic community for travel pros working from home.

READ MORE: TTAND’s 10-year anniversary conference will be held in Jordan

Rothfuchs said travel advisors have “absolutely been superheroes” recently, especially during the pandemic shutdown.

“Home-based advisors are a force to be reckoned with,” she said. “They’ve grown substantially, they’re so important to the industry.”

On ACV@Home, in particular, Rothfuchs said it was important to “recognize those who are home-based or work independently to make sure they’re supported.”

READ MORE: “Takeaways for everybody”: TTAND's “Breaking Barriers” conference wraps up in Mexico

“We created a program for independent advisors to give them more support, better training, and dedicated attention from one area sales manager that they can rely on,” she said.

“There’s a lot of ambition within the home-based advisor environment. They’re entrepreneurs, they’re their own brand, they work for themselves.”

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And the award goes to...

TTAND’s conference, which concluded on Sunday (April 23) attracted 241 travel advisors and 67 suppliers from 42 companies – its largest turnout to date.

The success of its TTAND’s advisors were celebrated Sunday night (April 23) at a dinner and gala, at Majestic Elegance, where magicians, dance troupes, as well as Toronto-based singer Roberta Battaglia, of TV’s America’s Got Talent, dazzled the crowd. 

The team at Majestic Resorts, at that dinner, also gave all agents in attendance a complimentary seven-night stay at any Majestic property of their choice, which led to an eruption of joyful whoos and cheers. 

Several awards were announced throughout the week, including honours for suppliers. Here's a summary of who earned what. 

TTAND Agent Awards for 2022

Agents who won supplier awards

TTAND's 2022 supplier award winners 

Best overall "All-inclusive for sun packages": Air Canada Vacations

Best overall "Escorted Group Touring": G Adventures

Best overall "Ocean Cruise": Celebrity Cruises

Best overall "River Cruise": AmaWaterways

Best overall "FIT": Goway

Best overall "Hotel/Resort": AMR Collection (now known as the Inclusive Collection by World of Hyatt).

Best overall "Specialty Product": Project Expeditions

Best overall "Preferred Supplier": Air Canada Vacations

Best overall "Approved Supplier": Goway 

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